In a press release, Microsoft announces that it is exploring with television monitor manufacturers the possibility of ” integrate the Xbox experience directly into connected televisions without the need for any other device ”. A small revolution is brewing in the world of video games and it is one more step towards the dematerialization of video games. So ? Finished the console?
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Microsoft said on Thursday it was working on software to allow Xbox game enthusiasts to play directly on their smart TVs at internet, without a console, one more step towards the dematerialization of video games. The American computer giant and other heavy goods vehicles of the sector participate from Saturday to annual video game show (E3 for Electronic Entertainment Expo), which will be held online because of the pandemic.
« As a company, Microsoft is deeply into the games, assured Satya Nadella, the boss of the group, quoted in a communicated. Three billion consumers love to gamble for entertainment, community spirit, the creative side, as well as the pleasure of accomplishment. Our ambition is to support them, wherever they play ».
The market for video games, reinforced by the health crisis and confinements, has exploded in recent years thanks to the mobile offer as well as the advent of cloud services, such as Luna (Amazon) and Stadia (Google), where the games are hosted on servers and not on a console or a PC. The players then only need joysticks, a screen and a good internet connection.
The good old console hasn’t said its last word
The team of la Xbox is working with television manufacturers to integrate its software that will provide access to the games normally available on its consoles. It also designs devices that will plug into any connected screen, with the same objective. In the coming weeks, players will be able to purchase subscriptions to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Microsoft’s streaming service, via the main internet browsers (Chrome, Edge and Safari).
There is still a place for consoles and PCs, and, honestly, there will always be one.
« There is still a place for consoles and PCs, and, frankly, there will always be one. But, thanks to the cloud we will be able to provide a robust gaming experience to anyone connected to the internet. “, Said Phil Spencer, director of the Xbox division. Xbox Game Pass had 18 million subscribers worldwide at the end of last year, according to figures released by the group.
Spending in video games in the United States reached nearly $ 15 billion in the first quarter of 2021, up 30% from last year over the same period, according to NPD Group.
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